Comprehensive Services for Our Community
The Winchester Fire Department stands as a pillar of safety and service for our citizens. We are a highly skilled, all-hazards department, equipped with state-of-the-art resources and staffed by dedicated professionals committed to rapid response, compassionate care, and proactive community engagement. Explore the breadth of services we proudly provide.
Emergency & Specialized Response
Structural Firefighting
Our core mission involves aggressively combating fires in all types of structures. Crews are expertly trained in modern firefighting tactics, search and rescue, and ventilation to save lives and minimize property damage with courage and precision.
EMS Response (City & County)
Providing critical pre-hospital emergency medical care is a vital service. Our AEMT and Paramedic-level responders deliver rapid, life-saving interventions for medical emergencies and traumatic injuries across Winchester and Clark County, 24/7.
Vehicle Extrication
In complex motor vehicle accidents, our teams utilize specialized "Jaws of Life" and other advanced tools to safely and quickly free trapped individuals, providing immediate medical care alongside rescue efforts.
Heavy Rescue
Our department is equipped for complex heavy rescue scenarios, including industrial accidents and situations requiring specialized lifting, stabilization, and disentanglement techniques to save lives in challenging environments.
Swiftwater Rescue
Trained and equipped for dynamic water rescue/recovery incidents, our teams respond to emergencies in rivers, streams, and flooded areas, performing surface water rescues and providing critical assistance during water-related disasters.
Confined Space Rescue
We provide technical rescue services for individuals trapped in confined spaces such as Industrial facilities, tanks, vaults, and below-grade structures, utilizing specialized equipment and atmospheric monitoring to ensure rescuer and victim safety.
Trench Rescue
Our trench rescue technicians are skilled in shoring, stabilizing, and safely extricating victims from collapsed trenches and excavations, a high-risk, low-frequency type of emergency requiring precise execution.
Structural Collapse Rescue
In the event of a building collapse, our specialized teams are prepared to conduct search operations, locate trapped victims, and perform technical rescue using advanced shoring and breaching techniques.
Animal Rescue
We extend our compassion and rescue skills to animals in distress, providing assistance for pets and large animals in hazardous situations where specialized lifting or extrication is required.
Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Response
Our HazMat team is trained to identify, contain, and mitigate incidents involving hazardous materials, protecting the public and the environment from dangerous chemical spills, leaks, and exposures.
Rope Rescue
Our rope rescue teams are trained in high-angle and low-angle rescue operations, utilizing advanced rigging systems to safely access and extract victims from cliffs, buildings, towers, and other elevated or difficult-to-reach locations.
Man vs. Machine Rescue
When individuals become trapped or injured by industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, or heavy machinery, our specialized teams respond with the expertise and tools necessary to safely extricate victims while minimizing further injury.
BSAR Wide Area Search
As part of the Bluegrass Search and Rescue (BSAR) network, our teams are trained in wide area search operations for missing persons, utilizing systematic search patterns, GPS technology, and coordinated ground teams to locate individuals in wilderness and rural areas.
Disaster Response
Winchester Fire Department plays a crucial role in city and county-wide disaster preparedness and response, coordinating with other agencies to provide aid, rescue, and support during large-scale emergencies and natural disasters.
Promoting Resuscitation Academy Style Care
Winchester Fire Department actively incorporates leading-edge strategies to enhance survival from sudden cardiac arrest, drawing inspiration and best practices from world-renowned programs like The Resuscitation Academy. Our focus on high-performance CPR, team-based response, and continuous quality improvement reflects our unwavering commitment to providing the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Prevention & Investigation
Fire Marshal Inspections
Our Fire Marshal's office conducts thorough inspections of commercial and public buildings to ensure compliance with fire codes, enhancing safety for occupants and reducing fire risk throughout the community.
Fire Investigations
Highly trained investigators work diligently to determine the origin and cause of fires. This crucial work helps prevent future incidents, brings closure to those affected, and supports community safety efforts.
Community AED Program
The Winchester Fire Department is committed to building a heart-safe community through our Public Access AED Initiative. This vital program installs and meticulously maintains Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in easily accessible public spaces across our city/county. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and immediate intervention is key.
Community Training, Education & Outreach
EMT-B Classes
Begin your journey in emergency medical services with our EMT-Basic certification course. This program provides foundational knowledge and skills to deliver essential pre-hospital care and prepares students for state certification.
AEMT Classes
We offer Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification courses, providing comprehensive training for aspiring EMS professionals looking to enhance their life-saving skills and serve our community.
EMR Instruction
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training provides fundamental emergency medical care skills for first responders. This entry-level certification prepares individuals to provide critical care in emergency situations until advanced medical personnel arrive.
NAEMT Instruction
We provide comprehensive National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) training programs including PHTLS, TECC, GEMS, AMLS, PEPP, and other specialized emergency medical courses. These programs enhance the skills of EMS professionals and healthcare providers.
Community CPR Training
Empowering citizens with life-saving skills is a priority. We provide hands-on CPR, AED, and First Aid training, equipping community members to respond confidently in an emergency. (See our Community page for more on our public access AED program).
Stop the Bleed Training
Learn critical bleeding control techniques through our "Stop the Bleed" courses. These skills can make a life-or-death difference in traumatic emergencies before professional help arrives.
First On the Scene (FOTS)
Developed by NAEMT, our FOTS course teaches the public essential skills to provide immediate care in emergency situations, bridging the gap until professional responders arrive. Learn more about FOTS
Honor Guard
The Winchester Fire Department Honor Guard proudly represents our department and community at ceremonial events, memorials, and public functions, upholding the traditions and dignity of the fire service.